MOHAWK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
UTICA and ROME, NEW YORK
COURSE OUTLINE
MA090
ESSENTIAL MATH SKILLS
Prepared by
Emily Hantsch, December 2013
COURSE OUTLINE
Title:
Essential Math Skills
Catalog Number:
MA090
Contact Hours:
3
Practicum Hours:
0
Credit Hours:
0
Prerequisite:
An appropriate placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.
Catalog
Description:
This course is for students enrolled in non-STEM programs
who, according to placement test results, need preparation
for subsequent mathematics courses. It develops problem
solving skills with an emphasis placed on applications.
Topics include arithmetic computations, measurement,
geometry, percentages, ratio and proportion, linear
equations, and an introduction to graphing lines.
Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test score or MA089
Arithmetic.
Major Topics:
For each of the following topics the student will:
Topic 1.
Whole Numbers
1.1 Perform basic operations with whole numbers.
1.2 Express whole numbers in words and write whole numbers in standard form,
given the verbal form.
1.3 Round given whole numbers to specified place values.
1.4 Simplify and/or evaluate arithmetic and variable expressions, including
exponential form, involving whole numbers using order of operations.
Topic 2.
Integers
2.1 Locate integer values on a real number line and use order relations to
compare given integers.
2.2 Add, subtract, multiply and divide integers.
2.3 Simplify and/or evaluate variable expressions involving verbal and/or
symbolic expressions for the operations on integers.
2.4 Simplify and/or evaluate expressions, including exponential form and
additive inverse, involving integers using order of operations.
Topic 3.
Rational Numbers
3.1 Simplify fractions and convert improper fractions to integers or mixed numbers.
3.2 Use order relations to compare given fractions.
3.3 Determine the prime factorization of given composite numbers.
3.4 Determine a common denominator for given fractions.
3.5 Add, subtract, multiply and divide given fractions.
Topic 4.
Decimals:
4.1 Identify place values of digits within given decimals, and round given decimal
numbers to specified place values.
4.2 Perform basic operations on decimals.
4.3 Convert given fractional expressions to decimals, and convert given decimals
to fractional expressions.
4.4 Use order relations to compare given decimals.
4.5 Approximate the (principal) square root of a given number with the aid of a
calculator.
4.6 Evaluate variable expressions involving verbal and/or symbolic expressions for
the operations on decimals.
4.7 Convert numbers between standard notation and scientific notation.
Topic 5.
Measurements and Geometry
5.1 Convert, using conversion factors (unit fractions), measurements of length and
time in the U.S. System.
5.2 Convert, using conversion factors (unit fractions), measurements of length,
capacity and mass in the Metric System of measurement including micro.
5.3 Convert, using provided conversion factors (rates), between U.S. Units and
metric units of length.
5.4 Given a circle, identify the radius and diameter.
5.5 Determine the perimeter of a plane geometric figure.
5.6 Calculate the area of rectangles and triangles.
5.7 Calculate the area of a plane geometric figure given the areas of its regions.
Topic 6.
Ratio, Proportion, and Percent
6.1 Write ratios as fractions and simplify.
6.2 Write rates as fractions and find unit rates.
6.3 Write and solve proportions.
6.4 Solve application problems which use proportions.
6.5 Perform conversions between percents and fractions and between decimals
and percents.
6.6 Use either the basic percent equation (percent X base = amount) or the
percent proportion to solve equations and application problems.
Topic 7.
Algebraic Expressions and Linear Equations
7.1 Simplify algebraic expressions using the operations of addition and subtraction
and distribution of a constant over an expression.
7.2 Evaluate algebraic expressions.
7.3 Evaluate a formula in which the desired variable is isolated.
7.4 Determine solutions to first degree equations (of form ax+b=c) by applying the
addition and multiplication properties of equations.
Topic 8.
Lines
8.1 Graph ordered pairs on a rectangular coordinate system.
8.2 Determine solutions of given linear equations in two variables.
8.3 Graph solutions of given linear equations in two variables on a rectangular
coordinate system.
Teaching Guide
Title:
Essential Math Skills
Catalog Number:
MA090
Contact Hours:
3
Practicum Hours:
0
Credit Hours:
0
Prerequisite:
An appropriate placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.
Catalog
Description:
Text:
This course is for students enrolled in non-STEM programs
who, according to placement test results, need preparation
for subsequent mathematics courses. It develops problem
solving skills with an emphasis placed on applications.
Topics include arithmetic computations, measurement,
geometry, percentages, ratio and proportion, linear
equations, and an introduction to graphing lines.
Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test score or MA089
Arithmetic.
Prealgebra and Introductory Algebra, (Custom), Wright: Hawkes Learning
Systems/Quant Systems Inc. 2012
MVCC Supplement written by Anna Radlowski and bundled with the text
book.
NOTE: Chapter 1, 2, and 3 has mainly review material.
Chapter 1
6 Hours
1.1
Introduction to Whole Numbers – Review
1.2
Addition and Subtraction with Whole Numbers – Review
1.3
Multiplication and Division with Whole Numbers – Review. Long Division is
supplemented by Topic 1 of the supplement.
1.4
Problem Solving with Whole Numbers – New Material
1.5
Solving Equations with Whole Numbers – New Material
1.6
Exponents and Order of Operations – Review
1.7
Introduction to Polynomials – New
1.8
Introduction to Integers – Review
1.9
Addition with Integers – Review
1.10 Subtraction with Integers – Review
1.11 Multiplication, Division, and Order of Operations with Integers – Review
1.12 Applications: Change in Value and Mean -- OMIT
1.13 Introduction to Like Terms and Polynomials – New Material
1.14
Solving Equations with Integers – New Material
Chapter 2
6 Hours
2.1 Tests for Divisibility – OMIT
2.2 Prime Numbers – Review Material
2.3 Prime Factorization – Review Material
2.4 Least Common Multiple – OMIT
2.5 Introduction to Fractions – Review
2.6 Division with Fractions – Review
2.7 Addition and Subtraction with Fractions – Review
2.8 Introduction to Mixed Numbers – This section is supplemented by Topic 3 in the
supplement.
2.9 Multiplication and Division with Mixed Numbers
2.10 Addition and Subtraction with Mixed Numbers
2.11 Complex Fractions and Order of Operations – Complex fractions are new,
Order of Operations is review.
2.12 Solving Equations with Fractions – New
2.13 Ratios and Proportions – New. This section is supplemented by Topic 5 in the
supplement.
Chapter 3
6 Hours
3.1 Reading, Writing, and Rounding Decimal Numbers – Review
3.2 Addition and Subtraction with Decimal Numbers – Review
3.3 Multiplication and Division with Decimal Numbers – Review
3.4 Measures of Center – OMIT
3.5 Decimal Numbers, Fractions, and Scientific Notation – Converting between
decimals and fractions is review but scientific notation is new material.
Scientific Notation is supplemented by Topic 4 in the supplement, converting
fractions to decimals is found in Topic 2 of the supplement.
3.6 Basics of Percent – Review
3.7 Applications of Percent – New Material
3.8 Simple and Compound Interest – OMIT
3.9 Square Roots -- Review
Chapters 4-7 contain only new material.
Chapter 4
8 Hours
4.1 The Metric System - OMIT Objectives D, F, OMIT all questions from Objective
E dealing with equivalent measures of volume. This section is
supplemented by Topic 7.
4.2 U.S. Customary and Metric Equivalents – OMIT Objective A and exercises 1730. This topic is supplemented by Topic 6.
4.3 Introduction to Geometry – OMIT
4.4 Perimeter. Supplement Topic 8
4.5 Area – Supplement Topic 8.
4.6 Volume – OMIT
4.7 Similarity – OMIT
4.8 The Pythagorean Theorem – OMIT
4.9 Reading Graphs – OMIT
Chapter 5
8 Hours
5.1 Simplifying and Evaluating Algebraic Expressions
5.2 Translating English Phrases and Algebraic Expressions
5.3 Solving Linear Equations: x+b=c and ax=c
5.4 Solving Linear Equations: ax+b=c
5.5 Solving Linear Equations: ax+b=cx+d -- OMIT
5.6 Applications: Number Problems and Consecutive Integers
5.7 Applications: Percent Problems
5.8 Working with Formulas
5.9 Applications: Distance – Rate – Time, Interest, Mean, Cost – OMIT
Chapter 6
6.1 The Cartesian Coordinate System
6.2 Graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables
6.3 The Slope – Intercept Form – OMIT
6.4 The Point – Slope Form -- OMIT
6.5 Linear Inequalities in One or Two Variables – OMIT
6.6 Introduction to Functions and Function Notation - OMIT
Chapter 6 is supplemented by Topic 9 in the supplement.
6 Hours
The teaching guide leaves 3 hours for in class assessment and 2 hours of
flexible time for the instructor to use at their discretion. There will be a two hour
proctored comprehensive final examination. Study guides are prohibited on the
final exam according to math department policy.
Grading Structure – Instructors must explicitly state their grading policy on their
syllabus.
3 hour in class tests, together 50-60%
Final exam 30%
Attendance 0-5%
Other (homework, groupwork, quizzes, etc.) 5–25%